The Difference in Treatment between Male and Females Muslims - Research Paper Example

The difference in treatment between male and females Muslims The quest for understanding the gender issues in the Middle East, as well as North Africa, has been an area of concern for many researchers. This is in relation to the assertion that women undergo much oppression in the society. It is also apparent that males are highly privileged in the Muslim society. The position of men in the society contributes to their oppression of women. In connection with this, the paper aims at expounding on the difference in treatment of male and female genders in Muslim societies. In addressing this, the paper will also provide detailed information about the rules male and female need to follow in the Islam religion. According to Ouzgane (1), women oppression is highly practiced in Muslim societies in Middle East and North Africa. In support of her claim, Ouzgane claims that the practice of female genital mutilation is highly practiced by Muslims. In addition to this, Ouzgane (21) asserts that some masculinist environment denies feminine both theologically and psychologically, a practice that make the majority of them unconscious. Despite this, some countries such as Iran value the position of women in the society. For instance, Firoozeh (7) asserts that the implementation of Iran’s population policies resulted in smaller families, exponential growth in female education as well as a rise in the age of marriage for men and women. These changes also contributed not only to the empowerment of women, but also protection of women from sticking to Islamic role model. However, it is apparent that nothing can change the role of women in Islamic society. According to Firoozeh, women are still treated as mother and wives despite implementation of some policies. In relation to this assertion, Inhorn asserts that women in Islamic have the role of giving birth and taking of the children. Women are also barred from having multiple partners and extramarital sexual relations (Inhorn 12). In other words, women are treated as the property of men, and as a result of this, they are obliged to adhere to what their husbands want them to do. Women in Islamic societies are often barred from raising their voice against their men (Friend 2). Apart from blaming women for failure in reproduction, the Islamic societies also force them to endure childless marriage. During their early stages of women as girls, they are taught on how to shrink into corners, to withdraw as well as to hide oneself because of their gender. In other words, the Islamic societies considered women as subjects to men who needed to be passive and weak. Unlike women, men are highly valued in the Islamic society. In support of this assertion, Ouzgane (1) claims that the power of men is secured by the existence of few studies of Islamic masculinities. Additionally, Islamic masculinities have a social constructionist perspective which claims that men are made and not born (Ouzgane 1). The high position of men compared to that of women is also evidenced by the reference to God as masculine. Unlike women, men in Islamic societies are allowed to have many sexual partners. Men are also allowed not only to have extramarital sexual relations, but also to commit acts of violence against women (Inhorn 12). Apart from this, the majority of the Islamic societies treat men more special than women by granting the responsibility of policing women. In relation to this assertion, it is the responsibility of women to search the treatment of their husbands’ infertility. Additionally, male children are taught from early stages of his life on not only how to project his personality, but also on how to prepare for specific things related to man such as strength, responsibility as well as authority. Men are also taught on how to have a positive attitude when facing difficulties. The rules male and female genders have to follow in the Islam religion Islam religion has diverse rules that need to be observed by Islamists. For instance, it is apparent that Muslim women are obliged to obey their male attendants, as well as family members throughout their lives. In relation to this, Sondy (40) claims that the best wife is one who not only has an appealing look but also obeys a person when requested to do something. Additionally, Sondy argues that the Islamic religion recommends a woman to safeguard herself in addition to her husband’s properties in his absence. Islamic religion also regards pregnancy very much. In connection with this, Sondy (41) laments that it was a rule of the Islamic religion that a pregnant woman should not undertake any work related to physical and mental exertion. In other words, the Islamic religion considered a pregnant woman as a sick person who needs to be protected by all means. The rate of cultural interactions is very high today. For instance, it is evident that Western culture has influenced many cultures in the world. In relation with this, the Islam religion has a rule that requires Islamists to avoid being hypocritical in life (Sondy 44). In other words, the Islam religion against hypocrisy requires Muslims to do away with hypocritical attitude in their lives. In tandem with this, the Islam religion has a rule that requires both men and women to conceal some areas of the body (Sondy 47). For instance, men are advised to cover the area located between the navel and the knee. Women, on the other hand, are required to cover up in advance. In connection with this, it is evident that the Qur’an has a rule that advocates modesty in human nature (Sondy 47). The Islamic law as defined in the Qur’an requires women to hide their face from other people. The practice of polygamy as one of the Islamic culture is as a result of one of the rules of Islam religion. According to that rule, it is the objective of the Islamic marital law to preserve morals and chastity. In connection with this, a man is allowed to marry another wife if he is disgusted by the previous wife in order to protect himself from evils glances, as well as evil ways. The Qur’an also provides a rule that the man is the maintainer of the woman. In relation to this rule, Sondy (48) argues that a man is obliged to serve as a manager of a family so that household affairs to run smoothly. Additionally, this rule required men to observe specific duties in the family. For instance, a man is required to pay dowry as a sign of showing his ability to govern. This rule also requires a man to shoulder his family’s living expenses. Despite being a manager of the family, the rule that “man is the maintainer of a woman” prevents a man from being cruel to his wife. In relation to this assertion, it is evident that the Islam religion defines specific positions for both men and women. It defines a home as a special field of work for women. In connection with this, the rule barred women from taking responsibility on anything outside the home. According to Sondy, the observance of this rule by Islamists prevents the occurrence of immorality and other sinful ways associated with women remaining unmarried. In the Qur’an, it is well written that God destroyed Lot’s tribe as a result of their infidelity. In relation to this, (Hunt and Kugle 271) claims that it is the rule of Islam religion that no one should be involved in homosexual acts. According to this rule, men are obliged to respect other men and avoid having a sexual interest with fellow men. In connection to this, the Qur’an also expounds on many types of crimes as well as immoral behaviors that need to be avoided by Muslims. Additionally, it is the rule of Islam religion that women stay away from burying procedure. According to Ouzgane (36), the physical distance of women from the burying procedure was determined and agreed upon by the family and imam. Conclusion The need for understanding gender issues in the Middle East, as well as North Africa, has made many people research on Islam and Islamic societies. The result of the studies shows that women undergo much oppression in the society whereas males are highly privileged in the Muslim society. Women are treated as mother and wives; they give birth and take of the children. Unlike men, women are barred from having multiple partners and extramarital sexual relations. Men are highly valued in the Islamic society; male children are taught from early stages of his life on not only how to project his personality. Islam religion has many rules for male and female genders. For instance, the religion asserts that a good woman obeys a person when requested to do something. Islamic religion also protects pregnant women through the rule that a pregnant woman is a sick person who needs to be protected by all means. Muslims are also obliged to avoid being hypocritical in life. Additionally, the practice of polygamy in Islam societies is as a result of the rule that requires Muslims to preserve morals and chastity. Works Cited Amanullah, De Sondy. The Crisis of Islamic Masculinities, New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2014. Print. Friend, Theodore. Woman, Man, And God In Modern Islam. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co, 2012. Print. Kashani-Sabet, Firoozeh, and Beth S. Wanger, Gender in Judaism and Islam: Common Lives, Uncommon Heritage. New York: New York UP, 2015. Print. Kugle, Scott, and Stephen Hunt. “Masculinity, Homosexuality And The Defence Of Islam: A Case Study Of Yusuf Al-QaradawiS Media Fatwa.” Religion And Gender 2 (2012): 254. Print. Inhorn, Marcia Claire. The New Arab Man: Emergent Masculinities, Technologies, and Islam in the Middle East. Princeton: Princeton UP, 2012. Print. Ouzgane, Lahoucine. Islamic Masculinities. London: Zed, 2006. Print. Read More